The Early Empire

The Emperor Augustus

Augustus Augustus  A long period of peace began with Augustus known as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. This lasted 200 years.  To make the empire strong and safe, Augustus built a professional army.  The legions conquered new territories.  Augustus rebuilt Rome with palaces, fountains, and splendid public buildings.

Augustus  He improved the government through the appointments of governors to each of Rome’s provinces.  He also reformed the tax system and the legal system.

Caligula  Mental illness caused Caligula to act strange and treat people cruelly.  He had many people murdered.  He even appointed his horse as consul.

Nero  Nero was vicious man.  He killed his mother and two of his wives.

Nero  He is best remembered for having “fiddled while Rome burned.”  He was playing music miles from home when a fire destroyed much of the city.

Vespasian  When Vespasian took the throne, Rome finally was restored to peace and order.  He put down several rebellions in the empire.

Vespasian He began the construction of the Colosseum.

The “Good Emperors”

 At the beginning of AD 100s, a series of rulers came into power who were not related to Augustus or Vespasian.  These five emperors---Nreva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius were known as the “good emperors.”

The “Good Emperors”  Agriculture flourished, trade increased, and the standard living rose.  The emperors supported public building projects.  They built arches, bridges, and aqueducts.

Hadrian  Hadrian was known as one of the good emperors.  He made Roman laws easier to understand and apply.

Hadrian’s Wall Hadrian had a wall built to mark the boundaries of the Roman Empire in the north.

Rome in A.D. 100s  The Roman Empire was at its largest.  People spoke different languages and practiced different customs.  The people were united through Roman law and Roman rule.  The economy was based on agriculture, industry, and trading.

Roman Roads  Roman road system reached a total length of 50,000 miles.

Roman Money  Rome’s trade was helped my a common currency.  The Romans also created a standard system on weights and measures.

Roman Empire: Trade and Expansion

Some Romans built great fortunes and lived in luxury. However, most city dwellers and farmers remained poor, and many remained enslaved.